The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-01-28
Origin OF skates.

ter sports is ice skating. This is doubt
hess due to the fact that skating is mex
pensive, and the poorest country lad
with his seventyfive cents "Grecian
Bead'' skates may enjoy the sport on
the neighboring mill pond or creek, that
would delight the son of Vanderbilt.
to whom the xponditure of $40 for
pair of Club" skates would seem a
trife. The counterfeit of ice skating
roller skating-for a time enjoyed un-
paralleled prosperity, which seems, how
ever, to have finally departed. The
immense favor which roller skating at
tained may be explained by its not be-
ing subject to the whims of the weather,
the sport being susceptible of enjoyment
in summer as iE winter. But ice skat-
ing 10 the open air produces an exhilai-
alton not to be obtained il gliding on
the rollers, and will Consequently al
ways be popular. The art of skating is
carried to the greatest perfection in
Holland, where the numerous canals
make it possible for everyone TO indulge
in the pastime, and even to utilize it in
everyday winter life. There are as
many styles of skating as there are
skaters almost, and every skating ma
tion has its characteristic method.
With little practice a person may
easily acquire the art Of 'cutting the
figure s." making ''spread eagle" or
other figures on the ice with the sharp
edges of his * kates.
Most devotees of the sport pride them
selves upon the length of the sweep
which they make. This is called the
"outward roll" and it is particularly
favored by young ladies. either unac
companied or with escorts, as it serves
to display all the ease and grace of bal
ance at the command OF the skater.
Skating is very ancient, having be en-
practiced in the north Of Europe at
least thousand years ago. The first
approach TO the modern skate was made
10y the Danes, and WAS simply piece of
smooth bone bound TO the foot by means
OF cords. With these sliding was prac-
ticable, but there was no means Of pro-
pelling oneself, and therefore wooden
slaves with sharp pointed iron ferIules
we're employed to furnish the motive
power.
These primitive contTlvences we're in
use but short time, for the Hollanders
soon devised a skate which emb 1dled
| the essential principles of the skate of
to-day. These were at first made very
large, with the end ot the runner taper
ing off to nothing in an extensive curve
! over the toe. This, in reduced form,
out with scarcely any other modifica-
lions, constitutes the Dutch Rocker, -
which to this day may be found In the
possession of many farmer boys, handed
down from their grandfathers, whose
limited capital will not admit of their
buying the more modern and expensive
article.
After the Anticipated and ungainly,
but withal seTviceable, Dutch Rocker
came the ''GIecian Bend" which pro-
jected for about an inch beyond the
wood at the toe and heel, running to a
point, or nearly SO, at each end. This
was probably the best skate for all puT-
poses ever made, combining as it did
strength and durability with symmetry
and lightness. Up to this tina skates
had always been made with the bott oms
of the steel runners quite fiat, necessi-
tating frequent sharpening of the blade.
To avoid this creased bottoms were in.
troduced. In these skates a groove was
ground in the middle of the entire
length Of the sliding surface of the steel
runner, thusgiv!ng a we'll defined edge tC
''push off, with. Creased Bottoms. >
as well as fat runners, ARE used on the
Club skates of the present day, which
are an Improvement simply upon the
fastening apparatus of the old styles
In the Club the skate is made entirely
of steel or iron and is fastened to ths
thick sole Of the boot by means of &
clamp operated either by key and
threadbolt or by lever.
The danger of being injured seriously
while indulging in the fascinating exer
else is greatly Overestimated. No on
ever heard of novice hurting himse If
and with reasonable care the expert vii
always be able to fall in such a manne
as to escape with only slight bruise.
A little advice to skaters may not b.
amiss just here. If you are glidin,
along rapidly and notice that the ic
under you is cracking never attempt t,
retrace your steps, but lie down at ful
length as quickly and as gently as pos
sible and roll over and over until yor
strike thick ice.